Southern Counties East Premier Division
Saturday 14th February 2026
It was another disappointing afternoon for the Cannons as they went down 3-0 at home to Erith & Belvedere on a pleasant Saturday leaving them in severe relegation danger.
New manager Andy Drury made six changes to the team that lost in injury time at Hollands & Blair with two former Cannons making their latest debuts in Jerald Aboagye and Robbie Dolan. Also starting for the first time were late signing Antonio Morgan, covering for the suspended Will Dempsey, Callum Morris and Jack Hanson. Monty Saunders made his first start since returning from injury.
The first opportunity of the game came in the seventh minute as the ball came out to Dolan who was just outside the penalty area, and he sent his effort over the bar. The Deres followed that up on 14 minutes with initial attempt as Freddie Cray blasted a shot wide.
However, only a minute later the visitors were ahead as a cross from the right from Rob Strachan found the head of Thomas Borders who nodded the ball home. This was quickly followed by a moment of controversy as Gil Carvalho broke through and appeared to be brought down in the penalty area, but the Hythe appeals were turned down, and the Hythe winger received a yellow card for simulation.
Chances at both ends were scarce from that point until an Aboagye cross found the head of Dolan but the ball went over the crossbar. There were no further opportunities during the half, and the Cannons could count themselves a little unlucky to go in one down.
The second period started badly for the hosts as on 49 minutes The Deres got their second. The ball found its way to Borders who turned and planted his effort past Henry Newcombe in the Hythe goal. It could have been three shortly afterwards when a curling cross from the right found Casey Dudley on the far post, but he failed to convert.
The Cannons had their best spell of the game as they pressed to get a goal back. Carvalho sent a shot in from the left, but it was easily caught by away keeper Danny Alexander and then substitute Blu Husthwaite hit a dipping effort that went just wide. More appeals for a penalty were waved away as Hythe could not find a way through the Erith & Belvedere defence.
The final nail in the coffin came with two minutes of normal time to go as the home defence failed to clear with Freddie Baker picking up the loose ball playing in Borders who slid home to complete his hat trick and seal the three points.
If the Cannons are to complete a miraculous escape, they are going to need to find a way of breaking down opposition defences and taking chances that come their way.
Team: Henry Newcombe, Jerald Aboagye, Antonio Morgan, Callum Morris, Jason Fregene, Callum Frith (Blu Husthwaite 55 mins), Monty Saunders, Robbie Dolan, Steadman Callender, Jack Hanson (Richie Keil 68 mins), Gil Carvalho. Subs Unused: Finlay Whitton, Dan Kennedy, Jerzy Krzyszka.
Scorer: Erith & Belvedere – Thomas Borders 15, 49 & 88 mins.
Yellow Cards: Gil Carvalho 27 mins, Jason Fregene 45 mins.
Attendance: 215
